The Senior Chemist will lead technical activities within the Geochemistry Laboratory, ensuring reliable analytical results, compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements and efficient laboratory operations. The role also supports laboratory accreditation and deputises for the Laboratory Manager or Assistant Laboratory Manager when required.
Technical Leadership and Laboratory Operations
- Lead and coordinate daily analytical activities within the Geochemistry Laboratory, ensuring compliance with approved methods, procedures and applicable standards.
- Lead the development, validation, verification and implementation of analytical methods.
- Review analytical data, investigate non-conforming results and coordinate appropriate corrective actions.
- Oversee the performance, calibration, maintenance and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment and analytical instruments.
- Maintain the integrity of LIMS and support improvements to laboratory systems and workflows.
- Coordinate proficiency testing, inter-laboratory comparisons and quality-control programmes.
- Monitor laboratory consumables, certified reference materials (CRMs), reagents and inventory requirements.
Quality Management and Accreditation
- Lead and support the establishment, achievement and maintenance of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
- Ensure laboratory activities comply with quality management system requirements and applicable technical standards.
- Coordinate accreditation assessments, internal and external audits, corrective actions and continuous-improvement initiatives.
- Ensure technical documentation, analytical records and quality-control data are accurate, complete and properly maintained.
Team Leadership and Development
- Train, coach and assess the technical competency of Chemists and other laboratory personnel.
- Provide technical guidance on analytical methods, quality issues, equipment performance and laboratory procedures.
- Promote a culture of quality, safety, accountability and continuous improvement.
Deputy Laboratory Management
- When delegated to deputise for laboratory management:
- Oversee daily operations, production planning, staffing and workload allocation.
- Monitor production targets, turnaround times and operational KPIs.
- Coordinate customer inquiries and represent the laboratory in meetings as required.
- Approve technical documentation within delegated authority and address operational issues, escalating significant risks to management.